Cash Wilcke, top, compiled a 127-16 record in his first three high school seasons, placing fourth as a freshman and sophomore before capturing the Class 2-A state title this past season at 182. He’s Iowa’s first Class of 2015 recruit. (Register file photo)

Wrestling at Iowa had been Cash Wilcke’s dream as far back as he can remember, and he outlined some steps a few years ago that he figured would bring that vision closer to reality.

A fourth-place finish at the state meet as a freshman competing against 170-pound upperclassmen grabbed the attention of wrestling fans across Iowa. All-America honors in freestyle at last summer’s Cadet Nationals put Wilcke on the map nationally.

A state championship in February reinforced that he was one of the top prospects in the Class of 2015.

Wilcke crossed off the last item on his checklist Monday when the OA-BCIG of Ida Grove star accepted a scholarship offer from the Hawkeyes.

“They’re a really good team, and I’m sure by going there I’m going to get the most out of my college wrestling experience,” said Wilcke, who picked Iowa over Northern Iowa and Missouri. “It’s pretty much always been a goal and dream (to wrestle for the Hawkeyes).”

Wilcke is ranked the seventh-best prospect in Iowa and 92nd nationally. The first member of Iowa’s 2015 recruiting class is projected to wrestle at 184 pounds in college.

He compiled a 127-16 record in his first three high school seasons, placing fourth as a freshman and sophomore before capturing the Class 2-A state title this past season at 182. His resume includes runner-up finishes at Preseason Nationals and the NHSCA Junior Nationals.

“They are getting an outstanding athlete,” OA-BCIG coach Randy Nieman said. “He’s the kind of athlete who you can show him a move at 2 o’clock, and by 2:30 he’s hitting that move in competition. He’s so athletically intelligent and wrestling intelligent that you can go over something and he doesn’t have to drill it and drill it and drill it.”

About Andy Hamilton: University of Iowa graduate Andy Hamilton is originally from Williams, Iowa, and started at the Des Moines Register in August after 12 years at the Press-Citizen. He covers wrestling for Hawk Central. View author profile.